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With sequestration looming, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack is contemplating furloughing food-safety inspectors for two weeks to meet budget requirements. Industry representatives have stated their fear that this plan, which Vilsack says is "the last option," could lead to a shortage of meat, poultry and eggs because producers cannot sell such products without inspection.

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Vendors selling meat, eggs, milk and prepared food at Pennsylvania farmers markets must obtain a license under food-safety law implemented by the state late last year. In the past, farmers markets obtained the license, and each jurisdiction had its own rules. The rules were made uniform.

A law that goes into effect Sept. 30 requires supermarkets and other large food retailers to display the country of origin of meat, produce and some nuts. FMI's Deborah White says taxpayer dollars could be better spent on "true food-safety issues."

The USDA has not asked Congress for mandatory recall authority. Food safety advocates have been calling on Congress to increase the USDA's authority beyond the ability to recall meat, poultry or egg products that may be contaminated.

Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman today was expected to call on U.S. meat, poultry and egg plants to seal shipments and take additional steps to protect the nation's food supply from intentional contamination. The USDA guidelines detail how plants should manage their security, production, workers, transportation and storage.

General Accounting Office officials testified before the Senate this week to say the nation's food-safety system should be consolidated. Under the current system, the USDA monitors meat, poultry and eggs, and the FDA oversees the rest of the food supply. According to Food Marketing Institute Chief Executive Tim Hammonds, the system currently is ill-equipped to handle a potential bioterrorist attack.